Controlling device for flying-machines.



P. STUMPF & J. SGHROEDBR.

CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR FLYING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I, 1912.

Patented May 13, 1913.

2 SHEETfi-BHBET 1.

P. STUMPF & J. SGHROBDER; CONTROLLING DEVIOB ron FLYING MACHINES.

APPLIOATIOH FILED JUNE 1, 1912.

tnesses Patented May 13, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

lnntor's Daul StumpF. Jose? Schroe derr an as;

PAUL STTIMRE AND JOSEF SCHBOEDER, 0F BERLIN, GERMANY, ASSKGNOES IEi GENERAL ELECTRIC comm, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK CONTROLLING DEVICE FOR FLYING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 113, $9113.

Application filed June 1, 1912. Serial lto. 700,938.

To all whom. it may concern Be it lmown that we, PAUL STUMPF and Josnr Sonnonnnn, subjects of the King of Prussia, residing at Berlin, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Controlling Devices for Flying- Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flying machines, and especially to heavier-than-air machines or aeroplanes.

The object of the invention is to increase the capacity of the machine to meet variations in the currents of the air encountered, and also to facilitate the steering. When curves are to be made in a lateral direction, the aviator usually employs a rudder turning on a vertical axis. At such times, also, the machine is usually tilted on a fore and aft axis, so as to stand obliquely as it rounds the curve. This effect is frequently pro= duced by drawing down the tip or edge of the wing or plane on the inside of the curve. This operation is also necessary to meet any tendency of the machine to roll on its longitudinal axis when in straight flight. But such operation requires also that the rudder shall be turned in order to counteract the tendency of the machine to curve from the line of flight when one of the wing tips is flexed. It is therefore imperative that the two control devices shall be so connected as to operate simultaneously and yet leave the rudder free for independent operation when slight lateral curving only is desired.

Our invention aims to'provide a simple and effective device for accomplishing this combined control.

In the accompanying drawing, Fi 'ure 1 is a sectional elevation'of one form 0 mechanism for carrying out our invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation, of a modified form of the same; and Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of still another modification.

In Figs. land 2 the head of the pillar 1 forms a bearing for a shaft2 whose axis is in a fore-and aft direction. On one end of said shaft is fixed a sprocket wheel 3 or other movement-imparting element, which through a tension element, such as a chain belt 4, actuates the oblique-control devices. On the other end of the shaft is secured an upright transverse shaft 5 on which is journaled the hub of a hand wheel 6 (Fig. 1) or carrying sprocket teeth 10 or other movcment-imparting element, which is connected by suitable tension elements, such as the chain belt 11, with the lateral-control device, or rudder. By rotating the Wheel or lever on the transverse shaft 5 the gears will cause an actuation of the rudder without affecting the oblique-control devices. On the other hand, if the hand wheel or lever-is rotated in its own plane, it will eifect'a move ment not only of the rudder but also of the oblique-control devices, through the rotation of the shaft 2.

In Fig. 3, the rotation of the shaft 2 is transmitted to the oblique-control devices through the bevel gears 12, 13 andthe sleeve 14 on .the pillar 1, while the movement ofthe bevel gears 8 and 9 is transmitted to the rudder or the like through the bevel gears 15, 16 and the sleevel? on said pillar.

While we have described this invention as applied to a flying machine, yet it is evident that its use is not confined to that class of machines alone, but that it can be employed in a variety of connections where a combined and independent control of two separate devices is desired. In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, we have described the principle of operation of our invention,'together with the apparatus which we now consider said shaft, elements responding to a rotation of said actuating device on either axis,

whereby said elements can be actuated either \vlthout causlng a rotation of said main shaft or simultaneously therewith, and elements adapted to respond only to a rotation of'said main shaft when said actuating device is operated' to effect such rotation.

2. A controlling device consisting of a 1'0- tatable shaft, a shaft secured thereon transverse thereto, an actuating device journaled on said transverse shaft, 3/ movement-impartingelement secured on said rotatable shaft, another movement imparting element mounted to rotate on said shaft, and operative connections between said second element and the actuating device, whereby the rotation of said device on the transverse shaft will actuate said second element only, and the rotation of the rotatable shaft by said device will actuate both movement-imparting elements.

3. A controlling device consisting of a rotatable shaft, a sprocket wheel secured thereto, a shaft mounted on said rotatable shaft and transverse thereto, an actuating device journaled on said transverse shaft, a sprocket wheel sleeved looselyon said rotatable shaft, and bevel gears connecting said latter sprocket wheel andthe actuating device.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this 15 day of May, 1912.

PAUL STUMPF. JOSEF SCHROEDER.

Witnesses RICHARD SCHWINN, ROB. SoHMn). 

